Just the Right Look

Using variations of robin's-egg blue, cream, and taupe, Cindy transformed the house into a beautiful and comfortable retreat filled with her favorite possessions. She says, "When I moved here, I didn't bring anything in unless it would stay forever. I only use special pieces I love."

Cindy painted the walls in the living room and dining room pale blue, a hue drawn from her oak-leaf drapery and pillow fabric. "All the upholstery in these rooms is neutral, and most of the color is on the walls. Just by repainting, it would be easy to change the look if the mood strikes," she says. She retained the original tongue-and-groove paneled walls, narrow bookshelves, and built-in corner cabinets. Above the chocolate brown sofa she placed handsomely framed English landscape engravings. Rectangular serving dishes, purchased at a housewares store and mounted on wire plate hangers, complete the staggered arrangement. The bookcases and corner cabinets hold displays of additional porcelains.

End tables and a painted chest echo the wall color, creating a tone-on-tone effect. "Painted furniture is a great way to break up the monotony of wooden case pieces, so that you don't always repeat the same finish," Cindy says.

Upholstered dining chairs, bought a few years back and kept in storage until needed, surround the table. Her table and console look all the more interesting because of their slightly different styles and finishes. For Cindy, each room is an album of personal treasures. She says, "Remembering where you found each piece makes it even more special."

An umber glaze enriches the painted chest. Tones of tan and brown balance the shades of blue.